Alfred De Vigny : A Hero As A Hero

The modern day hero contributes positively to the society; he or she is a role model to different race, age and gender. In Beowulf, the king was in charge of the kingdom and he was obligated to fight with his warriors while the modern day, the President is in charge of the people but he does not fight with them in battle, he sends his soldiers off. Modern day heroes are not out looking for fame or fortune, they operate with great passion and drive to fulfill their dreams; if they get recognized for their great work, it is not publicized, it is done within the confines of the work environment. Modern day heroes do not depend on physical strength, they think of other ways to positively impact the society for example, Philanthropy is a great way to impact change in the community and philanthropist are seen as heroes in the eyes of the people they help. A person who donates his kidney to save

Are there heroes in today’s society? No one thinks of themselves as a hero, but it does not take any special skills to be a hero because anyone can be a hero. The characteristics of a hero only show up when there is a time of need such as a major catastrophe or minor incidents that happen on a daily basis. During the twenty-first century there have been quite a few major catastrophes. The major catastrophes include the 9/11 attacks, two major hurricanes (Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy), and the Boston marathon bombing. There are also several different major and minor characteristics that a hero will show in times of need. For instance some major characteristics of a hero are perseverance/determination, bravery/courage, dedication/endurance, and selflessness/sacrifice. Some minor characteristics include humility, fearlessness, skill, strength, integrity, and intrepidity (Wanamaker, 2013). In the twenty-first century the 9/11 attacks is the first major catastrophe. During this major disaster there were quite a few individuals who helped to rescue people. There were heroes in each of the three crash sites that occurred on that very eventful day.

Today in society there are many individuals who can be described as heroic because of their courageous actions towards helping others. People who do not believe in heroes today do not see the change happening around the world for the benefits of future generations. However, in reality many individuals are risking their own lives to fight for what they believe in and for the change they wish to see in this world. Alfred de Vigny asserts that there are no heroes in this world, but even ancient stories like Beowulf provide examples of heroes who risk their lives to save others while we do still have heroes during modern-day times.

Despite the hero-villain representation usually seen in the fantasies of modern day culture, real heroes and monsters remain today. When defining the terms ‘hero’ and monster’ people often imagine made-up characters. Because of this, the view of a hero or monster in a real-world sense might seem absurd, however, looking at people who have risked their lives, or devastated the world proves their existence. Similarities between the heroes and monsters of today and those found in poetry centuries ago exemplifies how they still exist. In the epic poem Beowulf, characters Beowulf and Grendel represent the ideals of a hero and monster. Their qualities of courage and envy parallel with that of some of the most significant people today. De Vigny

In the fiction world heroes have been one of the most entertaining figures. It has always been fun and interesting to read about heroic stories and about different obstacles that heroes had overcome. When someone mentions the word "hero" it is more likely to think of characters like Batman or James Bond, but it is for sure that if we had the chance to ask the same question centuries before, the answer would have been different. From comics or TV it is seen that heroes change physically and spiritually through time, but the heroic pattern stays always the same when moving from ancient times to today's heroes.

When people think of heroes, they often think of muscle bound men in spandex with unrealistic powers of flight, strength, or x-ray vision. But in real life, heroes are often determined based on the smallest of situations and their outcomes. In both of the stories I have chosen (A&P and Harrison Bergeron), the main characters are classified as heroes because of their willingness to defy the authoritive forces around them, whether it be the store manager Lengel in A&P or the Handicapper General in Harrison Bergeron, as well as their willingness to strike out on their own instead of adhering to social norms. In Harrison Bergeron, the main character Harrison

In the United States alone, 92% of the children (ages 10 - 17) say that their heroes include their parents. As well as 73% saying that their heroes include professional athletes, and 72% saying that their heroes include teachers. (National) What are some of the traits that might be influencing this generation to look up to a certain sect of people? Power, intelligence, drive, empathy, all of the above? What does it mean to be a hero in today's society, and would the ancient Greek heroes Hercules, Theseus, and Perseus still be considered heroes to modern day societal rules. Theseus and Perseus would still be considered heroes in modern day society. However, Hercules has bad qualities that overrule the ones that might be considered heroic.

Tom Hanks, an american actor, once said “ A hero is someone who voluntarily walks into the unknown.” but what’s the true definition of a hero? Are they stronger than everyone else, or are they just your average human beings?(Hanks). Beowulf, the epic hero who defeated Grendel, the hideous beast, that was slain because of this, Beowulf was worshipped for his strength and bravery for facing the monster. Michael P. Murphy, a U.S Navy officer who fought for his country in Afghanistan and is remembered because of his valor, are two different people from different eras. Although Beowulf and Michael P. Murphy are different people, they actually share a few traits such as courage, bravery, and leadership abilities.

“(Firemen) run toward fires while the rest of us are running away” (“Who will the heroes be?” Canon). This shows how normal everyday people can be heroes. Heroes also don’t have to be courageous to be considered a hero. Beowulf was a hero who saved Hrothgar’s kingdom from the monster Grendel. Achilles also was a hero who led to the victory of the Greeks in the Trojan War. Both heroes did amazing tasks, had similar values, but had some differences too.

“I have a private theory, Sir, that there are no heroes and no monsters in this world. Only children should be allowed to use these words” ― Alfred de Vigny, from Stello. As opposed to Alfred de Vigny’s statement claiming that there are no heroes or monsters in the modern world, I believe that certain qualities which are extremely ubiquitous in modern society as well as in the epic poem Beowulf, align completely with the archetype of an epic hero, these qualities being selflessness, generosity, and bravery.

Across societies, throughout the globe, and in the roots of religions as old as civilization itself. These are the places heros rein strong. Although each has a unique face, name, reputation, and story, every hero has one trait in common: they better the lives of those around them.

Throughout the history of epic literature, heroes have been an integral part of many different cultures. Some of these heroes are fierce and powerful, renowned for their skill in battle, while some others and clever and cunning, able to talk their way out of any difficult situation. These traits usually emphasize the values of the cultural from which the hero came, and depending on the culture,traits viewed as heroic may drastically differ. Although there exists a plethora of traits any one hero may have, there are three core characteristic that, in my opinion, a hero must have to be considered a hero: the courage to face hardships, the willingness to make major self-sacrifices for the benefit of others, and most importantly, the dedication to do what it takes to reach their goal.

Heroes are those who have gone above what the average person would do to ensure the welfare of others. Natural disasters, terrorism, poverty, and war are some of the many things that destroy and end people’s lives. Throughout history, many people have made a difference. However, as history progresses, what we consider to be socially normal changes along with our definition of a hero. In Ancient Greece, Theseus, Hercules, and Perseus were considered heroes, but today only Theseus and Perseus would be considered heroes because Hercules would be shunned by society.

As long as they are brave, caring, and a leader heroes don't need to be observed because they know there are heroes inside.Heroes are brave, not uncaring, and leaders.One hero that I read about was the Springboard book his name is Segers. He wiped out his leg in Afghanistan fighting for his country that makes him a leader. For instance, he is a leader because “ He plans to return to culinary arts school this fall & [he is ] about to move into an apartment in the Bothell Area.”(Fiege 67).Again, here is another piece of evidence about the same man. To illustrate Segers is a hero “ Segers said I didn't do anything do anything special, but of the progress, I have made motivates another wounded veteran to keep going, then that’s great!” (Fiege 68).Therefore

Heroes are prevalent in everyone’s life. Whether someone’s hero is a living person or a fabled character from a movie, everybody has come into contact with some sort of hero. In fact, the concept of heroes has existed for hundreds of years, dating all the way back to Ancient Greece. Over time, heroes have drastically changed. As society has evolved, our heroes have evolved with it. Their goals and motivations have changed to coincide with the views of modern society. Modern day heroes have less selfish motives, better qualities, and are portrayed differently than ancient heroes.